The Providence Grove Patriots will challenge the Wheatmore Warriors at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Providence Grove is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.9 points per game this season.
Providence Grove is headed into the contest out to prove that what happened against Randleman on Thursday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. Providence Grove was dealt an 84-51 loss at the hands of Randleman. The Patriots haven't had much luck with the Tigers recently, as the team's come up short the last four times they've met.
| 01/09/25 vs Randleman | 3 |
| 01/07/25 @ Trinity | 5 |
| 12/28/24 @ Leadership Academy | 2 |
| 12/27/24 vs River Mill | 9 |
| 12/19/24 @ North Stanly | 4 |
Providence Grove might have lost, but man, Andrew Thomas was a machine: he went 10 of 25 on his way to 25 points along with five rebounds and three steals. Thomas is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last 11 games he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Brady Collins, who posted seven points.
Meanwhile, Wheatmore hadn't done well against Southwestern Randolph recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Thursday. Wheatmore came out on top against Southwestern Randolph by a score of 62-52.
Wheatmore had a senior duo take command as Finley Bryant went 6 of 11 on his way to 20 points and Weston Driggers dropped a double-double on 15 points and ten boards. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Bryant has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Truman Auman, who put up nine points and seven rebounds.
Wheatmore has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games, which provided a massive bump to their 7-8 record this season. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 52.5 points per game. As for Providence Grove, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-8.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Providence Grove has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 29.4 boards per game. However, it's not like Wheatmore struggles in that department as they've been averaging 23.7 rebounds. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Providence Grove won a matchup that couldn't have been any closer in their previous matchup back in February of 2024, slipping by Wheatmore 63-62. Does Providence Grove have another victory up their sleeve, or will Wheatmore turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
